BACH & BYTE loses mast in Ocean Race.
The post race, Willis Island cruise of the 43ft catamaran BACH & BYTE may be delayed by the loss of the rig during Thursday's heat of the Australian Multihull Racing Championships.
The boat "came off a wave" in heavy wind reaching mode and the sudden compression load on the mast put it "out of column" and it broke. All previous boats of this design have been used exclusively for cruising and this is the first time that such an exacting test of engineering in extreme racing conditions has taken place. The spar maker has promised to step a new mast ( of larger section) on May 8th. A new radar antenna and mast head wind gear and amateur radio antennas have been ordered.
If all goes well with the insurance claim and the mast building next week this
will delay departure for Willis Island by a few days only.